What do vitiligo patches look like?

Vitiligo often starts as a pale patch of skin that gradually turns completely white. The centre of a patch may be white, with paler skin around it. If there are blood vessels under the skin, the patch may be slightly pink, rather than white. The edges of the patch may be smooth or irregular.

How do I know if I have vitiligo patches?

Is every white patch is vitiligo?

Hypopigmented spots that are NOT vitiligo. If the spots are not truly white, but hypopigmented and not depigmented (they don't enhance by Wood's lamp), then they are NOT vitiligo and could be any number of different diseases and conditions. I'll list a few of the most common ones here.

What can be mistaken for vitiligo?

Sometimes, vitiligo is mistaken for albinism, a group of inherited skin disorders that result in little or no pigment in a person's skin, eyes, and hair.

Where does vitiligo usually start?

Vitiligo typically begins on the hands, forearms, feet, and face but can develop on any part of the body, including the mucous membranes (moist lining of the mouth, nose, genital, and rectal areas), the eyes, and inner ears.

How can one prevent spreading of vitiligo? - Dr. Nischal K

What does early vitiligo look like?

Vitiligo often starts as a pale patch of skin that gradually turns completely white. The centre of a patch may be white, with paler skin around it. If there are blood vessels under the skin, the patch may be slightly pink, rather than white. The edges of the patch may be smooth or irregular.

How can I test for vitiligo at home?

There are no at-home tests available to diagnose vitiligo. However, you can do a general self-check of your skin and look for patchy or widespread loss of pigmentation (the coloring of your skin, hair, and eyes).

Are vitiligo patches itchy?

Vitiligo is usually considered as an asymptomatic dermatosis. However, itch was occasionally mentioned in some vitiligo patients. According to a study by Levai, vitiligo affected patients, with or without the presence of irritated skin lesions, can suffer from itch prior to the appearance of depigmented patches [8].

What triggers vitiligo?

Vitiligo is a skin condition that changes pigmentation. Vitiligo triggers include autoimmune disease, neurogenic factors, genetics, sunburn, stress and chemical exposure.

Do I have vitiligo or something else?

The signs of vitiligo can appear at any stage of life, and include: Loss of skin color in patches, usually seen first on your face, hands, arms, legs, and feet. Premature whitening of your body hair, including facial hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Loss of color of the tissues inside your nose.

How can you tell the difference between Pityriasis Alba and vitiligo?

Pityriasis alba can be distinguished from vitiligo by studying the nature of the border of the rashes. In vitiligo, the rash has a very distinct border that sharply demarcates the affected and unaffected skin areas.

How fast does vitiligo spread?

It spreads very quickly, faster than the other forms, but only for about 6 months (sometimes up to a year). It's such a rapid pace that patients assume it will soon cover their entire body, but it stops abruptly and usually remains stable, without changing, forever after that.

Can Covid cause vitiligo?

Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease and vaccines have been associated to various skin reactions, which are mostly similar amongst them. New onset of vitiligo and hypopigmentations have been described following COVID-19 vaccination, but never after COVID-19 infection.

Why am I getting white spots on my skin?

White spots on the skin often occur when skin proteins or dead cells become trapped under the skin's surface. They may also occur as a result of depigmentation, or color loss. White skin spots are not usually a reason for concern and do not cause major symptoms.

Can vitiligo disappear by itself?

In 1 out of every 5 to 10 people, some or all of the pigment eventually returns on its own and the white patches disappear. For most people, however, the whitened skin patches last and grow larger if vitiligo is not treated. Vitiligo is a lifelong condition.

Do white patches spread?

For some people, the white patches do not spread. But often the white patches will spread to other areas of the body. For some people, vitiligo spreads slowly, over many years. For other people, spreading occurs quickly.

Can you suddenly develop vitiligo?

People can develop vitiligo at any age, but approximately one-half of cases are diagnosed either in childhood or before someone turns 20. The first signs of vitiligo are white patches on the skin, which can develop anywhere on the body, including on the face, arms, hands, genitals, and buttocks.

Can stress and anxiety cause vitiligo?

Likewise, both emotional and physical stress can trigger vitiligo. It is a complex skin condition that involves both faulty genes and environmental factors. Melanocytes are more likely exposed to harmful chemicals induced amid emotional stress.

Is sunlight good for vitiligo?

Because vitiligo is characterized by a loss of color, it makes sense that sunlight would bring some of that color back. Light therapy is recommended by some dermatologists to help vitiligo patients achieve some desired effects.

How can you tell the difference between fungal and vitiligo?

But there are ways to tell the difference: vitiligo often develops symmetrically (on both sides of your body at the same time), while pityriasis versicolor may not. skin affected by vitiligo usually has a normal texture, while areas affected by pityriasis versicolor are usually slightly scaly or flaky.

What deficiency causes white patches on the skin?

Deficiencies in calcium, vitamin D and vitamin E can cause white patches on the skin. While harmless, these white spots indicate that you need to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Is hyperpigmentation the same as vitiligo?

Hypopigmentation in skin is the result of a reduction in melanin production. Examples of hypopigmentation include: Vitiligo: Vitiligo causes smooth, white patches on the skin. In some people, these patches can appear all over the body.

Should I see a dermatologist for vitiligo?

Important to get medical care. Many people who have vitiligo are often otherwise healthy. Even so, it's important to find a doctor like a dermatologist who knows about vitiligo. People who have vitiligo have a higher risk of getting some other medical conditions.

How can you tell the difference between vitiligo and tinea versicolor?

Tinea versicolor patches can also be itchy and dry, while vitiligo isn't. But the underlying causes are different. Tinea versicolor is caused by an overgrowth of yeast and vitiligo is an auto-immune condition that attacks the body's melanocytes, the skin's pigment-producing cells.

Can dermatologist treat vitiligo?

If you have vitiligo and want to treat it, you should discuss treatment options with a dermatologist. There are many treatment options. The goal of most treatments is to restore lost skin color.